Intravenous Bag Covering

ABSTRACT

An intravenous infusion bag covering, wherein the covering may be an animal-like figure including a body, a front opening, a bottom opening, a top opening and a bottom opening, and an internal cavity therebetween. The internal cavity removeably receives the intravenous infusion bag. The front opening permits viewing of the gradient markers on an intravenous infusion bag. Also provided, is a cover which is removeably detachable to the body, thus covering or exposing the intravenous infusion bag. The intravenous infusion bag covering also has a removeably insertable stuffing material and multiple closures that allow conversion from an intravenous infusion bag covering into a stuffed animal or doll for the patient to take home with them from the hospital.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates generally to an intravenous infusion bag covering. More particularly, relating to animal-like simulative coverings intended for receipt of devices such as intravenous infusion bags to conceal the intravenous infusion bag during an infusion procedure and which can then be converted into a plush toy or animal after the infusion procedure.

2. Description of the Related Art

There are numerous patients who for various reasons are hospitalized and require an intravenous infusion bag. Many of the aforementioned patients are children and/or young adults, whom may be scared or intimated at the sight of the intravenous infusion bag and the fluids retained therein. As such, it is desirable to provide a cover to generally conceal or hide as best as possible the intravenous infusion bag during an infusion procedure.

Numerous devices for use in covering or carrying various medical containers such as plastic bags, including but infusion bags exist. Examples of such devices are shown and described in U.S. Pat. Nos. 3,667,467; 4,606,736; 2,515,413; 4,874,387; Des. 426,634; Des. 442,278; Des. 347,890; Des. 401,347; Des. 470,586; and Des. 321,758.

One drawback of prior intravenous infusion bag coverings is difficulty in accessing the intravenous infusion bag so that one may periodically view gradient markers and thus the level of fluid in the bag. Heretofore, the covering needed to be completely removed from the infusion bag to view to contents of the bag. Another drawback exists in providing a covering that is attractive and completely conceals the intravenous infusion bag while at the same time permits the continuous functioning of the of the bag without impartment. In yet another drawback, the coverings heretofore functioned as only a covering and were discarded after use.

As such, while the aforementioned devices perform their intended function, there still exists a need for an improved medical container covering such as for example an intravenous infusion bag which completely conceals the infusion bag during an infusion procedure, allows quick and readily access to the infusion bag to view the contents of the bag, to adjust infusion rate, to readily allow hanging of the infusion bag, is simulative in appearance to a comforting object, and which can be converted into a plush toy after the infusion procedure.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of medical container covering devices, such as for example an intravenous infusion bag coverings , the present invention provides a new intravenous infusion bag covering construction that overcomes all of the disadvantages of the known devices and which may be converted into a stuffed animal or doll for the patient after the infusion procedure to comfort the patient during stay at the hospital and to take home with them from the hospital.

In general, in one aspect, an intravenous infusion bag covering for concealing an intravenous infusion bag having a front portion displaying gradient markers, an upper end with a hanger means and a lower end with an infusion tube extending therefrom, is provided. The intravenous infusion bag covering includes a body having a front portion and a rear portion defining an internal cavity therebetween, and a top opening and a bottom opening extending into the internal cavity for removeably receiving the intravenous infusion bag. The intravenous infusion bag having a hanger means on one end of the bag and intravenous tubing extending from the opposite end of the bag. The hanger means extending through the top opening and the intravenous tubing extending through the bottom opening. The front portion having a front opening extending into the internal cavity and being of a size permitting viewing of the gradient markers of the intravenous infusion bag. Also provided, is a cover which is removeably detachable to the front portion thus covering or exposing the front opening.

In general, in another aspect, the bottom opening of the intravenous infusion bag covering being of a size permitting insertion of the intravenous infusion bag into the internal cavity.

In general, in another aspect, there is provided a first mateable closure for closing the top opening; and a second mateable closure for closing the bottom opening. In order to allow the stuffing material to befit and fill the internal cavity.

In general, in another aspect, the body is shaped to resemble a teddy bear, fish, clown, monkey, baby doll, or the like.

In general, in another aspect, there are mating fasteners for removeably attaching the cover to the front portion of the body. This allows a user to remove the cover from the front portion in order to view the gradient markers of the intravenous infusion bag. This also allows the user to attach the cover to the front portion in order to conceal the intravenous infusion bag from the patient. The cover also facilitates the conversion from an intravenous infusion bag covering to a stuffed animal.

There has thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated.

Numerous objects, features and advantages of the present invention will be readily apparent to those of ordinary skill in the art upon a reading of the following detailed description of presently preferred, but nonetheless illustrative, embodiments of the present invention when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings. The invention is capable of other embodiments and of being practiced and carried out in various ways. Also, it is to be understood that the phraseology and terminology employed herein are for the purpose of descriptions and should not be regarded as limiting.

As such, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the conception, upon which this disclosure is based, may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated preferred embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth above will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective diagrammatic view of the figure-like intravenous bag covering constructed in accordance with the principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a front diagrammatic view of the intravenous infusion bag covering, illustrating an intravenous infusion bag inserted into the internal cavity of the intravenous bag covering, and further illustrating the front opening which facilitates a user in viewing the gradient markers of the intravenous infusion bag;

FIG. 3 is a bottom perspective diagrammatic view of the intravenous infusion bag covering, illustrating the intravenous infusion bag being removeably inserted into the internal cavity by way of the bottom opening of the intravenous bag covering. Further illustrating a mateable closure for closing the bottom opening; and

FIG. 4 is an exploded diagrammatic view of the intravenous infusion bag covering illustrating the stuffing material and the cover exploded from the body. Further illustrating the first and second complementary fastener elements surrounding the peripheral of the front opening and attached to the cover about the peripheral edge thereof.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring now to FIGS. 1-4, there is shown an intravenous infusion bag covering 10 for concealing an intravenous infusion bag 12. The covering 10 having a body 14, preferably an animal-like figure. The body 14 having a front portion 16 and a rear portion 18 defining an internal cavity 20 therebetween, a top opening 22 and a bottom opening 24 extending into the internal cavity. The bottom opening 24 being of a size permitting insertion of the intravenous infusion bag 12 into the internal cavity 20. The intravenous infusion bag 12 having a hanger means 30 on one end of the bag and intravenous tubing 32 extending from the opposite end of the bag. The internal cavity 20 removeably receives the intravenous infusion bag 12 with the hanger means 30 protruding through the top opening 22 and the intravenous tubing 32 extending through the bottom opening 24. The front portion 16 having a front opening 26 extending into the internal cavity 20 and being of a size permitting viewing of the gradient markers 34 of the intravenous infusion bag 12 . The intravenous infusion bag covering 10 having a first mateable closure 36 for closing the top opening 22 and a second mateable closure 38 for closing the bottom opening 24.

The intravenous infusion bag covering 10 having a stuffing material 46 removeably insertable into the internal cavity 20. The aforementioned mateable closures facilitate the stuffing material 46 to be inserted or removed, as well as retaining the stuffing material within the internal cavity 20. Essentially converting the intravenous infusion bag covering 10 into a stuffed animal or doll.

A cover 28 is removeably detachable to the front portion 16 of the body 14 to facilitate exposure or concealment of the intravenous infusion bag 12 thorough the front opening 26. The user can periodically check the fluids in the intravenous infusion bag 12 by removing the cover 28 and then recover the front opening 26 so the aforementioned bag is completely blocked from view. The intravenous infusion bag covering 10 having mating fasteners 40 for removeably attaching the cover 28 to the front portion 16 thus covering the front opening 26. The aforementioned mating fasteners 40 include a first complementary fastener element 42 and a second complementary fastener element 44. The first complementary fastener element 42 of each of the mating fastener 40 may be attached to the front portion 16 of the body 14 and surround the peripheral edge 48 of the front opening 26. The second complementary fastener element 44 of each of the mating fasteners 40 may be attached to the cover 28 about the peripheral edge 50 thereof.

In a preferred embodiment, the cover 28 is nontransparent having a similar color pattern and material as the body 14, thus the cover and body are complementary and simulate the appearance of an animal. Thus when the cover 28 is attached to the front portion 16 of the body 14 a seamless whole animal-like figure is created. In a preferred embodiment the front opening 26 and corresponding complementary cover 28 may be oval, rectangular, circle or square in shape.

The choice of fabric for the intravenous infusion bag covering 10 depends on the choice of animal-like figure, but preferably the intravenous infusion bag covering has a fur-like exterior and coloring which simulates the appearance of an animal. The intravenous infusion bag covering 10 may alternatively be partially or solely made of leather, plastic, cotton or other non-fur like material to simulate skin and creates the appearance of a baby doll or clown. Preferably the body 14 is in the shape to resemble a teddy bear, but the body is also envisioned to be in the shape of essentially any animal or doll such as a monkey, fish, bird, clown, baby doll, etc.

A number of embodiments of the present invention have been described. Nevertheless, it will be understood that various modifications may be made without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. Accordingly, other embodiments are within the scope of the following claims. 

1. An intravenous infusion bag covering for concealing an intravenous infusion bag having a front portion displaying gradient markers, an upper end with a hanger means and a lower end with an infusion tube extending therefrom, the intravenous infusion bag cover comprising: a body having a front portion and a rear portion defining an internal cavity therebetween, and a top opening and a bottom opening extending into said internal cavity, said internal cavity for removeably receiving the intravenous infusion bag with the hanger means extending through said top opening and the intravenous tubing extending through said bottom opening; said front portion having a front opening extending into said internal cavity and being of a size permitting viewing of the gradient markers of the intravenous infusion bag; and a cover removeably detachable to said front portion covering said front opening.
 2. The intravenous infusion bag covering of claim 1, further comprising; stuffing material removably insertable into said internal cavity.
 3. The intravenous infusion bag covering of claim 1, wherein said bottom opening being of a size permitting insertion of the intravenous infusion bag into said internal cavity.
 4. The intravenous infusion bag covering of claim 3, further comprising; a first mateable closure for closing said top opening; and a second mateable closure for closing said bottom opening.
 5. The intravenous infusion bag covering of claim 1, wherein said body is shaped to resemble a teddy bear.
 6. The intravenous infusion bag covering of claim 1, further comprising; mating fasteners for removeably attaching said cover to said front portion.
 7. The intravenous infusion bag covering of claim 6, wherein each of said mating fasteners includes first and second complementary fastener elements, said first fastener element of each of said mating fastener is attached to the front portion of said body outwardly and around the peripheral of said front opening and wherein said second fastener element of each of said mating fasteners is attached to said cover about the peripheral edge thereof.
 8. An intravenous infusion bag covering for concealing an intravenous infusion bag having a front portion displaying gradient markers, an upper end with a hanger means and a lower end with an infusion tube extending therefrom, the intravenous infusion bag cover comprising: a body having a front portion and a rear portion defining an internal cavity therebetween, and a top opening and a bottom opening extending into said internal cavity, said internal cavity for removeably receiving the intravenous infusion bag with the hanger means extending through said top opening and the intravenous tubing extending through said bottom opening; said front portion having a front opening extending into said internal cavity and being of a size permitting viewing of the gradient markers of the intravenous infusion bag; a cover removeably detachable to said front portion covering said front opening; a stuffing material removeabley insertable into said internal cavity; a first mateable closure for closing said top opening; a second mateable closure for closing said bottom opening; and mating fasteners for removeably attaching said cover to said front portion.
 9. The intravenous infusion bag covering of claim 8, wherein each of said mating fasteners includes first and second complementary fastener elements, said first fastener element of each of said mating fastener is attached to the front portion of said body outwardly and around the peripheral of said front opening and wherein said second fastener element of each of said mating fasteners is attached to said cover about the peripheral edge thereof.
 10. The intravenous infusion bag covering of claim 8, wherein said body is shaped to resemble a teddy bear. 